The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1887-01-06
COSTLY BUTTONS,
Thsy We're Wern O.oe Tee 0ftt6 b 0snesss
00axslo Of New Orleans.
E.o,, $ha Nav 0rleana TimAa.DemOcrat.

be found, after which the crews looked
up the local sights, particularly the
'tiger." OF all the curiosities then to
be found there, they preferred, beyond
all dispute, the tiger. This popular
quadruped was to be seen nowhere in
more vigor or beauty of coat than IN
the glided rooms of the Gonzalo Broth
ers. In his saloon Gonzalo was in
variabIy habited in a short jacket of
green, closely fitting his rotund body.
Down the front was q row of very
large buttons made from Mexican dol
lars, the front faces of which
were so polished that they re-
Elected light as mirrors. Shortly
after the MONDAY lunch had been
served in the front saloon on a cool
Sunday tall, gaunt Aat-boatman
sauntered in toward the tables where
little groups were watching with in
tense anxiety the turning up of the
cards by one OF the dealers. Thegame
was Mexico's favorite, monte, and
large sums were scattered about the
table. The newcomer was at once
recognized by many OF those present,
who saluted him with "How are you
Bowers?"
Bowers nodded pleasantly to the
right and left, and took a seat at one
Of the tables where Gonza]o was pre-
siding. The visitor was a man who
would be conspicuous in any crowd.
A quick eye, long, somewhat hooked
nose, face bronzed by exposure, and
q thin, attenuatetl black mustache
gave him the appearance of either a
trOntiersman or a veteran circus man.
ager. He watched the game closely
for some time, when his eye fell upon
the large silver buttons on Gonzales
coat. These seemed to hold his gaze,
for. without removing his scrutiny,
he moved his chair directly opposite
the little Mexican. In a few minutes
a smile overspread his features, and
he got up and went to the bar for a
drink. Wiping his moustache on a
big yellow bandana handkerchief, he
stepped behind the table and whis-
pered something in the Mexican's ear.
The little proprietor bowed gracious
ly, saying loud enough for those around
him to hear:
Isl, senior, play whatever game
you like" They both withdrew to a
small ante-room in the rear, which
was lighted by a large glass skyliyht.
The smile of Bowers did not leave his
face. It seemed to glow even more
radiantly when they sat down facing
each other, and when he took from
his pocket large purse filled with
gold it widened into almost u laugh.
Ell you've no objections, pardner,"
said Bowers, with somewhat Of drawl
in his enunciation, "we'll make it old
sledge." At that time old sledge,
known later as seven up. WAS a favor
ite American game, and its popularity
had penetrated even the wild woods
of the extreme west.
"Eet maker not de slight dlferans
for me what a game eet u.s." replied the
dapper Gonzalo, as he took new
pack of cards from the hands of g.
servant.
Cali right, then, old boy; old sledge
it is, and we'll make it for $50
game" and Bowers laid his black felt
hat on the floor.
The game commenced, and at first
Bowers lost. This, however, did not
disturb his eQuanimity in the least.
He chewed at the end of his
cigar, as was his habit, ran his hand
through his long, black hair, played
with large steel ring that adorned
his lett little finger, and still smiled.
A few idlers drifted back to where
chey were playing but the two an
tagonists were so quiet that they lost
interest and went back to more en-
livening games.
Bowers after some time began to
win. At first every second game; then
two out of every three. The Mexican
sent for another pack of cards, as he
said, "to change de luck" After
Bowers had examined them critically
he accepted them as flair and square
pasteboards.'
The fiatboatman did not move one
inch in his chair. He seemed as rigid
as if carved of stone. Facing his OPP
ponent, he kept mis- eye fixed on the
handsome green jacket of the pro-
prietor and the silver buttons. They
appeared to have some fascination for
the rough river man. Gonzalo sat
listlessly in seat, evidencing but lit
tie interest in the game. His cards he
held low, as his hand rested on the
table.
At 3 o'clock i'm the afternoon Bow
ers was 81 800 ahead, and that Next
can had awakened to decided inter-
est in the game. He proposed to in
crease the bet to 500 on each game.
which offer was promptly adopted.
The other tables had become deserted
now, and there was crowd gathered
about the two players. Side bets
were offered on each game by the spec
ing intense.
Bowers paid no heed to those
around him. He had come, he said.
"to get all the honey out of the gum
tree, and he was a-goin' to do it,"
At $3.50 o'clock he had won $4,000.
and at 4 o'clock, when he called for q
drink, he was $4,000 in gold ahead.
GonzalO Was somewhat pale, but
there was not q tremor in his hand. He
explained that they had reached near
ly the limits of his pile, but would
play two more hands for $500 each.
Bowers won both. The Mexican rose
from the table and shocks hands with
his antagonist, and both adjourned
to take a glass of wine together
Bowers received the admiring glances
of the crowd as he strolled leisurely
out OF the saloon, still chewing his
cigar.
The game was the talk of the town
for a number of days, and Gonzalo
was leased considerably about it by
his comrades. All this seemed as moth.
ing, however, when he received anote,
written in a bold, scraggy hand, say
ing: "Pardner: Els too good to
keep, SO I'll tell ct to you. When you
play with a grineo take off that ar
green coat and silver buttons. l seen
every hand you held rite in one OF
those buttons, like looking inter a
looklngglass. Much 'bliged for the
cash, all the same. Youls till death,
Bowers"